Coach Rickey McCullough’s Bainbridge High School Bearcats basketball team dropped a hard fought 39-37 decision to the Tift County High School Blue Devils on Tuesday night in Tifton, Ga.

The Blue Devils broke a 37-37 tie with two free throws with just four seconds remaining.

“There was a late scramble on the floor and a foul was called on us,” McCullough said. “After they made their two free throws to take the lead, Rodney Glenn, who was our leading scorer with 15 points, tried a shot from midcourt with two seconds left that just missed.

“I thought both teams played well. When it comes down to the last play, things can go either way.”

Glenn was the only Bearcat to finish in double-figures. He was followed by Dontavious Marshall with six points, Paul Chukes with five, Trea Kelly with four, Greg Lee with three and Dillen Thomas with and Justin Baker with two each.

McCullough said he thought his team was strong defensively all night.

“With both teams scoring under 40 points, it was obviously a strong defensive struggle all night,” he said.

The Bearcats will return to action Thursday, Dec. 29, and Friday, Dec. 30, when they travel to Tallahassee, Fla., to play in the Capital City Classic at Florida A&M University.

They will take on Tallahassee’s Rickards High School Raiders on Thursday at 6:45 p.m. and the East Gadsden High School Jaguars from Havana, Fla., on Friday at 6:45 p.m.

They will return to regular season action Friday and Saturday, Jan. 6 and Jan. 7, 2012, when they host the Colquitt County High School Packers and Miller County High School Pirates at 7:30 p.m.